Kazakhstan to Receive $80.9 Million Loan to Expand High-Speed Internet
Kazakhstan will receive a loan of 42 billion tenge (US$80.9 million) from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to support the expansion of high-speed internet access in rural areas, according to the press service of the Mazhilis, the lower house of Parliament.
The loan agreement, signed on December 12, 2024, was ratified by Mazhilis deputies during a plenary session on June 18.
The "Accessible Internet" project aims to connect more than 1,000 large rural settlements to fiber-optic broadband infrastructure. It will address the “last mile” challenge—ensuring direct, reliable internet access to individual homes. The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 2.3 million rural residents nationwide.
The loan is denominated in Japanese yen and carries a fixed interest rate of 1%. Project implementation will be completed before repayment obligations begin in 2028. The full loan repayment is scheduled by 2035.
The total investment in the project amounts to 84 billion tenge (US$161.8 million), with 50% funded through the IBRD loan and the remaining half contributed by private telecommunications operators.
Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev announced that Starlink satellite internet services are expected to launch in Kazakhstan in the third quarter of 2025. The company is currently resolving pricing structures and technical aspects, including the establishment of a landing station and point of presence in the country.
Photo credit: mazhilis.parlam.kz
